Life Writing Course Free for 65 and Older

Person writing on a sheet of paper with a pen, zoomed in the fingers holding the pen and the words on the paper.

The Department of Literature and Languages at Texas A&M University-Commerce is offering a free graduate-level writing course to anyone age 65 or older interested in improving their skills. A similar class taught by Dr. Fred Tarpley in 2009 gave birth to Silver Leos Writers Guild, and a number of guild members are already enrolled in the class.

Life Writing (English 497/597) will be team-taught by Literature and Languages faculty members Dr. Donna Dunbar-Odom, Dr. Shannon Carter, Dr. Hunter Hayes, other members of the English faculty, and off-campus guest lecturers.  Topics include, but are not limited to, memoir, fiction, short story, publishing, journalism, creative writing, archival materials and editing.  Readings of written assignments will also be included.

Those completing the course will earn university credit at the appropriate level.  Differences between two course levels are the word requirements for each.  Those taking the graduate (597) class are expected to write 6,000 to 7,000 words while those taking the undergraduate (497) class requires 4,000 to 5,000 words during the semester.

The class will meet from 1:00 until 3:40 p.m. each Thursday beginning August 28 and continuing through December 4.  Applications should be completed as quickly as possible before the first day of class.

Tuition and fees for the class vary by age and class credit.  The course is absolutely free for anyone age 65 or older registering at the graduate level.  Fees and/or tuition will be assessed for those wishing to take the undergraduate course or those under 65 enrolled in the graduate class. Additionally, veterans may want to check with the university for qualification of benefits to cover costs through the Hazelwood Act.

For further information, please contact one of the following: